Many adults recognize that the concept of “adulting” can appear deceptively simple from a child’s perspective, and if you don’t, it’s worth paying attention.
A comfortable home, food on the table, and unlimited internet access are all taken for granted, but the reality of how these essentials are provided is far more complex than a child might assume.
One mother, aiming to teach her disrespectful son that “nothing comes for free,” found a humorous way to address her 13-year-old, who was not quite ready to embrace adult responsibilities. Read on to discover how this mom used a “real-world” lesson to discipline her son!
In 2015, Heidi Johnson was struggling with her rebellious 13-year-old son, Aaron, who she described as wanting the benefits of growing up without the accompanying responsibilities.
At that time, Aaron was making a “tiny bit of money” as a YouTuber and was ignoring his mother’s requests to complete his homework. The young defiant one stormed out of her room, proclaiming that he was a “free person” because he was “making money.”
In response to his attitude, the single mother wrote a tough-love letter to Aaron and shared it on Facebook. The post, which has gone viral again nearly a decade later, was a clever way to teach him about the realities of adulthood.
“Since you seem to have forgotten that you are only 13, and I’m the parent, and that you won’t be controlled, I guess you will need a lesson in independence,” Johnson begins in the “roommate contract.” “As you reminded me that you are making money now, it will be easier for you to buy back all the items I’ve provided for you in the past.”
She continues, “If you want your lamps, lightbulbs, or internet access, you will need to contribute to the costs.”
The contract also stipulated that Aaron would have to pay rent and utilities, prepare his own meals, and regularly clean the house.
Johnson concluded with a simple, “Love, Mom.”
Repossession
When Aaron discovered the note on his door, he crumpled it up, threw it on the floor, and stormed out of the apartment. He just needed some time to reflect, while she took the opportunity to reclaim some of the items in his room.
“Once he had time to think about his actions, he asked what he could do to start regaining his privileges,” she said. Aaron eventually retrieved the items from his room that his mom had overlooked, and after returning them to her, he inquired about how he could earn them back.
“It was never really about him paying me back; it was about helping him understand the value of what things cost. He quickly realized that he couldn’t afford rent, utilities, or food,” she explains.
Hey Folks! If you’re even slightly curious about the context of this letter, here’s a link to what led up to it…
Posted by Heidi Johnson on Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Online users flooded the comments section of her post, commending her inventive approach to discipline.
One commenter remarked, “Great job. Nothing in the agreement is harsh punishment, but it will teach him a valuable lesson for life.”
“I know you’re not seeking praise or criticism, but as a fellow mom, I think you’re amazing. You’ve given your son the chance to learn and grow,” said another.
“Bravo for acting like a parent instead of a maid,” added a third.
‘Real World’
In response to some users who accused her of publicly shaming her son, Johnson posted again to clarify that she felt “no shame” about her words.
“A teenager will test their boundaries,” she explained. “They are at a stage where one foot is stepping into adulthood while the other remains firmly in childhood… I cannot send this child off to college or the workforce with the mindset of ‘I’ll get to it when I feel like it’ when a boss tells him to complete a task. That’s the real world.”
Johnson emphasized, “Nothing comes for free. Someone is making sacrifices somewhere along the way.”
What are your thoughts on this mom’s creative parenting approach? We’d love to hear your opinions, and feel free to share this story so we can gather more perspectives!
